Ex-Lower Lake High teacher makes court appearance in child porn case

LAKEPORT -- The case against a former Lower Lake High School teacher accused of possessing child pornography saw a delay Tuesday.

Jeremy Duane Stock appeared at the Lake County Courthouse for a preliminary hearing readiness conference, but Judge Andrew S. Blum granted a request to postpone the proceedings, deputy district attorney Ed Borg said.

The parties are due back in court June 25 to see if both sides are prepared to move forward with the key pretrial hearing, currently set for July 8, the prosecutor added.

Stock, 38, has pleaded not guilty to felony possession of child pornography and misdemeanor molesting or annoying someone younger than 18. He was arrested last December after a nearly yearlong investigation that allegedly led to authorities finding illicit materials on a computer found in his Loch Lomond home.

The English teacher was on administrative leave from Lower Lake High at the time of his arrest. He reportedly hadn't been instructing in a classroom since January 2012, when the principal received information alleging Stock was acting inappropriately with students.

Stock is no longer affiliated with the Konocti Unified School District, resigning effective last Friday, according to district officials. He submitted his resignation letter April 26.

Stock, who is out of custody, now reportedly lives in Southern California. He traveled up to Lakeport for his court proceedings Tuesday, appearing in Blum's courtroom with attorney Jane Gaskell, who stood in for Stock's regular counsel, Stephen Gallenson, Borg said.

Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow his court coverage on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh or #Lakecourt.